Donaldsonville, Louisiana

Donaldsonville is a town located in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,605.

History and Culture

Donaldsonville served as the Louisiana capital (when?) after New Orleans was decided as "too noisy". Donaldsonville is a small town and has many historic sites. The bricks that were used for the former statehouse of Louisiana are now blocking the waters of Bayou Lafourche. Donaldsonville has a museum, parks, shopping centers, civil war grounds, etc.

Donaldsonville was the childhood home of jazz great "King" Joe Oliver and the home of bandleader Claiborne Williams[?].

Geography

Donaldsonville is located at 30°5'60" North, 90°59'39" West (30.099947, -90.994046)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 km² (2.5 mi²). 6.6 km² (2.5 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 7,605 people, 2,656 households, and 1,946 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,151.5/km² (2,986.9/mi²). There are 2,948 housing units at an average density of 446.4/km² (1,157.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 29.82% White, 69.13% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,656 households out of which 39.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% are married couples living together, 30.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% are non-families. 24.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.81 and the average family size is 3.35.

In the city the population is spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 81.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 74.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $24,084, and the median income for a family is $29,408. Males have a median income of $31,849 versus $17,528 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,009. 34.8% of the population and 32.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 49.0% are under the age of 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older.